Robot Challenge

Posted 25 March 2010

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Engineering students at Harper Adams were challenged to design and build a small wheeled robot which can automatically navigate around an obstacle course. 

The assignment is part of the Control Systems and Mechatronics module for fourth year Agricultural Engineering and Off Road Vehicle Design students at the University College. 

Students were given a standard robot kit but were encouraged to research different varieties of sensors, such as light and compass sensors. 

The finished robot then needed to complete the course in less than three minutes, staying within the course boundaries.

Visiting lecturer, Terry Pickthall said: "Students already understand the principals of GPS, ultrasonics, bump sensors and collision avoidance, through what they have been learning in lectures.

"Using this, they have been able to choose the package that will get get them across the finish line the quickest.

"Today, the winning group used a very simple set of sensors that could read the intensity of a floodlight and direct the robot straight towards it. This was very effective, yet simple method."

Technologies similar to those explored in this module are already in place at Harper Adams, with the use of an automatic feed sweeper at the new dairy unit.